Arcata, CA · Private University
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$47,626
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,913
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,793
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$79,172
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.41x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
46.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$13,167
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates earn $2,626 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ranked by graduate earnings
50 graduates
80 graduates
57 graduates
57 graduates
178 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $72,511) and the lowest (Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies: $26,224) is $46,287/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $72,511 | 3.7x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $71,510 | 3.6x |
| Political Science and Government | $54,461 | 2.8x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $52,768 | 2.7x |
| Forestry | $51,526 | 2.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,034 | 2.6x |
| Plant Sciences | $50,661 | 2.6x |
| Geography and Cartography | $50,093 | 2.5x |
| Social Work | $47,507 | 2.4x |
| Botany/Plant Biology | $43,749 | 2.2x |
| Anthropology | $43,020 | 2.2x |
| Criminology | $42,938 | 2.2x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $40,750 | 2.1x |
| History | $39,994 | 2.0x |
| Biology, General | $39,303 | 2.0x |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management | $39,212 | 2.0x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $39,169 | 2.0x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $38,755 | 2.0x |
| Psychology, General | $38,617 | 1.9x |
| Sociology | $37,681 | 1.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $36,894 | 1.9x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $36,201 | 1.8x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $34,209 | 1.7x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $33,972 | 1.7x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $33,037 | 1.7x |
| Journalism | $32,810 | 1.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,524 | 1.6x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies(1yr data) | $30,844 | 1.6x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $27,664 | 1.4x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $26,675 | 1.4x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $26,224 | 1.3x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $47,626 10 years after starting, $2,626 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.3 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.